I noticed that the charges for my DSL jumped from $24.95 per month to $48.00 in December. When I asked why, the AT&T person said the $24.95 price was the low INTRODUCTORY price. After a year, you are moved to the STANDARD price. When I said that I wasn't about to keep paying that price, he offered to connect me to somebody in the CUSTOMER-RETENTION department who could give me a BETTER PRICE to keep me with the company.
(Better a low paying customer in the hand, than a customer who flees to another provider.)
But we have long been dissatisfied with our DSL service. I wasn't interested in keeping mediocre service for ANY price. So I've been shopping.
What a racket! Different providers. Different speeds. Different bundles of services. Different levels of support. Internet, TV, Wireless Phones... What do you want? Every different combination of services has a different price tag. And that is before tax.
It is enough to make your head spin. They have live chat people who will shepherd you through the whole process to buy, buy, buy their services. It couldn't be easier, but how do you know what you are really getting? How do you know that you are getting a good deal? How do you know there isn't a better offer out there?
You could be caught in the whirlpool of price and option comparisons forever - and never end up buying the services you need.
This is how I feel about some people who have considered the claims of Jesus Christ.
They understand the offer - their sins can be forgiven by God if they will repent and turn to follow Jesus Christ in faith. It doesn't "cost" them anything - but it does require a wholehearted commitment. God doesn't want what they have or can do. God wants THEM - heart and soul.
Many of my young friends know the offer, but are holding back from the commitment. Why? I am afraid they are trying to get a better offer. They don't want to give themselves to Jesus until they have enjoyed "the pleasures of sin for a season." They are not convinced that a relationship with Jesus is worth more than the various thrills that this world offers.
They don't understand that putting off the commitment to Christ IS a decision. Life is uncertain. You have the opportunity of the present moment. You might decide to follow Christ now, but you cannot decide to follow Christ "later." That kind of stalling now will result in lifelong procrastination. Then it is too late.
There is no better offer. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. A relationship with Jesus is the only thing that has ultimate value - and that value extends beyond this life.
But there is no such thing as a trial offer or a thirty day money back guarantee. You either commit to Christ or you don't.
(Better a low paying customer in the hand, than a customer who flees to another provider.)
But we have long been dissatisfied with our DSL service. I wasn't interested in keeping mediocre service for ANY price. So I've been shopping.
What a racket! Different providers. Different speeds. Different bundles of services. Different levels of support. Internet, TV, Wireless Phones... What do you want? Every different combination of services has a different price tag. And that is before tax.
It is enough to make your head spin. They have live chat people who will shepherd you through the whole process to buy, buy, buy their services. It couldn't be easier, but how do you know what you are really getting? How do you know that you are getting a good deal? How do you know there isn't a better offer out there?
You could be caught in the whirlpool of price and option comparisons forever - and never end up buying the services you need.
This is how I feel about some people who have considered the claims of Jesus Christ.
They understand the offer - their sins can be forgiven by God if they will repent and turn to follow Jesus Christ in faith. It doesn't "cost" them anything - but it does require a wholehearted commitment. God doesn't want what they have or can do. God wants THEM - heart and soul.
Many of my young friends know the offer, but are holding back from the commitment. Why? I am afraid they are trying to get a better offer. They don't want to give themselves to Jesus until they have enjoyed "the pleasures of sin for a season." They are not convinced that a relationship with Jesus is worth more than the various thrills that this world offers.
They don't understand that putting off the commitment to Christ IS a decision. Life is uncertain. You have the opportunity of the present moment. You might decide to follow Christ now, but you cannot decide to follow Christ "later." That kind of stalling now will result in lifelong procrastination. Then it is too late.
There is no better offer. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. A relationship with Jesus is the only thing that has ultimate value - and that value extends beyond this life.
But there is no such thing as a trial offer or a thirty day money back guarantee. You either commit to Christ or you don't.
Y-ouch! Very well said. I enjoy these odd connections from our daily humdrum to real "rubber meets road" spirituality! Thanks.
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